This nickel-chromium alloy is used most commonly in high temperature and corrosive environments. Two tempers exists, the most common Inconel X-750 is precipitation heat treated to a spring temper condition. In this state, it has temperature resistance to 700° F. The National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) approves this hard temper to Specification MR-01-75 (Rc 50 maximum) for spiral retaining rings and wave / compression springs. #1 temper has a lower tensile strength but provides temperature protection to 1000° F. Both spring temper and #1 temper may be heat treated in either an open air or atmosphere controlled furnace. Open air heat treatment may produce oxidation which often results in a black ash residue. An atmosphere controlled environment eliminates oxidation and produces a component with no residue. Rings and springs manufactured from Inconel have a blue / silver-gray color and exhibit no magnetism.

A286 Alloy

In applications up to 1000° F, this alloy exhibits similar properties to Inconel X-750 spring temper. Its spring temper condition is obtained by precipitation hardening. This material exhibits no magnetism and has a blue / silver-gray color.

Elgiloy

Elgiloy is known for its excellent resistance to corrosive environments, elevated temperature resistance and high strength. Elgiloy exhibits no-magnetism and is blue / brown in color as a result of heat treatment.Elgiloy offers a good solution accompanied by mechanical properties similar to high carbon spring steel (music wire). The mechanical properties are often superior to stainless steel and other nickel alloys. The supplier has also made arguments that in some (medical) applications, Elgiloy can be used in lieu of titanium and offers several advantages versus titanium.